Push-ups. They’ve been around as long as the term “fitness” and whether you love them or loathe them, they’re here to stay. Why? Because they work! Push-ups may well be the best exercise a woman can ever learn to do because we are often prone to having weak upper body strength. Push-ups not only strengthen your chest, but also your shoulders, biceps, triceps, back, and glutes while toning and tightening your entire core and burning calories. On top of that, they build your confidence and boost your appearance. And of course, the bonus is that they can be done anywhere, any time, with no equipment required.
Depending on the source you read, an adult woman should be able to do anywhere from 10 to 15 standard push-ups—that’s a full push-up on your toes—without stopping! So how do you get there? Just like with anything else…practice, of course! That’s where our 28-Day Push-Up Challenge comes in. From the beginner to the push-up pro, this challenge will work for you!
The challenge gives you a push-up assignment to do each day. The reps slowly increase every day in order to gradually build strength. By Day 28, push-ups will no longer be your nemesis! Just be sure to perform them slowly and properly.
Related: 28 Day Belly Fat Blast Challenge
Before you start, watch me demonstrate the proper push-up form!
You can also follow the links below for a quick form refresher for each push-up in the challenge:
The chart below shows you the number of reps and the push-up variation for the day. Choose the column for the beginner or the advanced option. If you’re a beginner, we’re rooting for you! If you’re advanced, we’ve thrown in some curveballs for a little variation.
Get Going
Start the challenge with us on May 1st! And if you are a few days behind no big deal, just join in! Grab a family member or a friend and challenge yourself. We’d love to hear about it too! Use the hashtag #ghupushuppower with a picture of how you’re participating in the challenge and you’ll be entered to win our fitness pack giveaway prize (over $100 value!). And at the end of this challenge, you will be able to say I DID THIS….
19 Comments
Debra on June 2, 2015 at 3:04 PM
I'm in and doing great, I can keep up
Judy on March 1, 2015 at 1:24 PM
Despite my efforts to complete full body pushups, I'm thrilled to report I'm doing sixty knee, decline and countertop pushups. I feel my strength building and will not give up...not until I complete this challenge. When I try a complete pushup my midsection sags, so I think it's more core at this point. Congrats to those who succeeded and to those of us willing to keep trying!
Judy on February 18, 2015 at 7:01 AM
Chris, I'm seeing progress in my pushup challenge, but wondering if core strength is playing a part in doing full pushups. My husband watched my form and told me I'm "sinking" in the middle. Thoughts?
Chris Freytag on February 18, 2015 at 8:38 PM
Yes, your core plays an important roll! Keep at it, you can do it! This article should be helpful to you! http://gethealthyu.com/how-to-do-more-push-ups/
Penny on February 10, 2015 at 8:47 AM
Just seeing this but would like to join in! Should I just jump in for the day it's on or start @ the beginning & cont beyond to finish?
Chris Freytag on February 15, 2015 at 3:16 PM
You could start from the beginning and just keep going beyond February!
Judy on February 8, 2015 at 10:10 AM
OH NO! I so wanted to do two full push ups today! I put on "We are the champions" by Queen and found myself unable to complete one. That said, I could do five 1/4 the way down and up. Before the challenge I could only do a belly flop...so some gain maybe? Got to keep on going. Had rotator cuff surgery two years ago and babied it a little too much I guess. How is everyone else doing?
Beth on February 7, 2015 at 9:40 AM
I can do 20 knee push ups with good form, but can't do 1 full body to save my life as deeply as I should. Is it better to keep increasing the number of knee push ups, or go part way down with my full body versions with good form? I can get about half way down and up with good form.
Chris Freytag on February 15, 2015 at 3:18 PM
Good form is important, so keep building up your strength with the modified versions but don't beat yourself up if you are struggling with your form for the regular push ups. You are building up your strength and it's all about progress over perfection!
Sunny on February 4, 2015 at 8:23 PM
2nd day, 8 kneeling pushups for me. My Hubby is gonna do the next challenge.
Sunny on February 3, 2015 at 10:31 AM
February 3rd, My Husband are joining this challenge together. We are starting late, on day three. Seven pushups from the knees. Is this the only place we post this? Thanks so much
Chris Freytag on February 4, 2015 at 10:08 AM
Yes, you can post here or on my Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram! Snap a photo of each other and upload it on my Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/chrisfreytagpage
Kathy on February 3, 2015 at 7:43 AM
Up to day 3
Corrine on February 3, 2015 at 6:38 AM
I agree with an intermediate level.
Corrine on February 10, 2015 at 6:53 AM
Chris, I came up with an intermediate level and I am on day 7. I have my 15 yr old daughters joining me on the push-up challenge. Together getting stronger
Chris Freytag on February 4, 2015 at 10:09 AM
Just modify, doing a combination of the two. Add some full push-ups if you are following the beginner track and increase the number each day.